Another ordinarily stressful day . . .

Hi there. Hope you're making it okay. Me? Oh, fairly well. . . honestly? Okay, yeah. Today - well, it was one of "those" days. You know the kind. No one died, no car crashes, no broken bones. But it felt that way. More like a Texas Tornado blew through. Trash forgotton to be taken out - again ;). Oh, and lunch money as we walk out the door, hurry up mom. Off to work, could have used that time to get off at a better time, to not be so rushed. Work? Fast paced, yes, that's normal, but it was like each person or account or phone call was just a bit more than "normal", taking a bit more of that precious commodity "Time". Yes, yes, those normally rare moments where you had four people needing you at the same time, and only a second or two to prioritize, they came at you several times today. Ah - but now it's day's end - at least from there. I made it to the time clock, punched, and out the door before I felt guilty for those still left working. I put in my hours, it was my time to leave . . . okay, when I got home, I emailed the new girl, a bible verse no less - you know the ones - they "encourage" . Hopefully she'll show back up tomorrow. See I did my part . . . didn't I?

Wow.

Is that a day of peace?

Is that a day that brought God any glory?

Is that a day that my kids will remember me as a loving mom?

A voice whispers in my heart - NO! YOU BLEW IT! YOU'RE NO GOOD, NOT GOOD ENOUGH, IF IT ALL CRASHES DOWN IT'S YOUR FAULT".

Have you heard that voice, too, lately? Yeah, you know the one. It belongs to the one we forget who they really are. They are the Father of Lies. Surprised? You shouldn't be. It's not the voice of your conscious. It's not our Father, our Lord Jesus. It's the one who wants to bring us down. So what can we do now? Well, I don't know about you, but here's what I'm going to do.

1. Remember he's the father of LIES. Remember what my real Father would and is saying - things like "Wow, you made it through this day with a smile still on your face. You took time for everyone I sent your way. You offered to stay and help the new gal. You stepped out of the meeting so others could stay and learn. You worked hard, but you earned your pay, and that's what work is - what I ask of you, to work hard, as unto Me. You missed lunch, and didn't bother to tell anyone about it, cause several of them did, too" and on and on.

2. Rethink my "bad day". - Trash did get out - and that same teenager washed two loads last night for you while doing their homework without you asking. It's over, and no permanent damage done. Some ideas of how to do better, to maybe not have a repeat. I still got work done, and when I got home, I had two handsome sons, one hubby, and a chihuahua to greet me, wagging tail and all.

3. Remember that I had prayed this morning, asking the Lord to go and be with us each one, to our schools and jobs. See the moments the "answer" popped up into my mind, that it didn't "freeze up", that others "happened" to walk up just when I needed them.

4. Now, it's time to pray again -

"Lord, yeah, it's me - again. Uh huh. I just need Your ear for a sec. I want to say thanks, Father, for lifting my hands to their tasks today and not letting them drop the job. Thanks for the fact You're in my "bad" days as much as my good ones. Thank you that in spite of my grumbling heart and tummy, others could leave my area of influence having had someone at least once that day smile and look them in the eye. If nothing else, Lord, You helped me do that. Take it as my offering today, bless them in a special way. And Lord, there is someone reading these words I'm plunking down here. Remember them, too. I think one or two of them probably had a day like mine. I hope so - 'cause it brings a smile to my face to know You were there with them in their day just like You were with me, - and we all made it through. Help them see You in it, Lord. Tomorrow? Lord, when it gets here, will You walk still with us each step? Till then, I want to leave it in Your hands, and I love you! Talk to you again soon, probably at bedtime. - amen"

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities" - Psalm 31:7

"The Lord your God himself crosses over before you . . He will be with you, He will not leave you or forsake you." - Deut. 31:3,8.

Bye for now, sweet friends, rest in Him,
Michelle